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GE Security | eKEY

Posted by ActiveRain Approved Business Builders on 08/31/2009 04:15 PM

Comments (120)

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120 Comments on GE Security | eKEY

SEP

2009

I love my Blackberry Tour and the FOB is ok. I wish it was smaller and the battery life was longer. Make sure to keep AAA batteries handy. The FOB will begin to flash red and die shortly thereafter. You never know when you'll be out showing property and all of the sudden you'll need a battery (and a small phillips screwdriver to be able to take the FOB apart and install it.)

I really like the fob over the ekey that needed charged every night. I just throw some batteries in the glove box whereas before I was scr****.

when will it be available for iphone? the biggest and most popular phone in the world

I found it was terrible on my phone and our Board said that at least 75% of the people who started using it with their phone have stopped because they had all kinds of issues. It wasn't worth the money and hassle.

I am disappointed that I would have to use the fob with my blackberry. What is the point of having the ekey if you still have to carry extra equipment, plus it cost more.

I just bought a new Blackberry curve 8900. Now I'm just waiting for my FOB to come in.

I tried a smartphone for awhile- wanted one device to open lockboxes too. But in my area it got poor phone reception. Now I have a Palm TX to open the lockboxes.

Leslie

I still have the Treo 700wx with the infared. I LOVE my ekey. That being said, when and if I have to go to a new phone I don't know what I will do as none (or not many anyway) are being made with infared any longer and it defeats the purpose of having an all in one device if you now have to purchase another device! I bought my Treo specifically for ekey. There needs to be a technology that will be just as easy as ekey WITHOUT the fob and something that can last a while! This is kind of ridiculous that as soon as one technology makes life easier, another comes along making that one obsolete and life more difficult! For now I am content, but know that within a short time, my Treo is also going to be obsolete. Very frustrating!

I have the Treo 755p and absolutely love my ekey on it

Listings linked to maps on the phone.

every agents info on my phone.

every listing in my target market updated on my phone everynight, upto 5000, IIRC

never had a problem

easily manage lockboxes and program them with the address, information, my business card which is beamed to smartphones opening my lockboxes

tracking of who has been in my listings and when

The benefits of GE Supra and Ekey coupled with Kim I can not speak highly enough of

Blackberry Pearl Flip and a Fob. I love my eKey... I wish the Fob were a little smaller... This oneis like a Jr High School Project. Shoot for 1/4 size.

;^ )

In our marketplace, more and more agents are not renewing their eKey and as a result, when I put an iBox on a listing, it ends up being more hassle than it's worth as I have to either swap it out or let the buyer's agent in.

Many board in Tennessee have deleted the Supra Key and picked up the Sentri-Lock. We have had these now for a few years and I really like it better. Our key is like a credit card that we insert into the bottom of the lock box

SEP

2009

My issue is that if you use your phone as the eKey and then you drop your phone and break it, you're toast! I have a Blackberry Curve 8900. I already carry the FOB...and now you want me to carry another one? Hmmm.

I'm not there yet, but with my next phone I will be.

Really wish we could do away with GE Supra, isn't there another company that could do it better? I agree with the comment that many Realtors are not paying for it anymore (probably as fed up as I am) and when you put the box on a listing, you have to let them in. Really defeats the purpose of a lockbox!

I saw the ads for this box and its use with a Blackberry. I almost went for it, then I had a case of reality come through. In most places the signal will transmit to my Blackberry, but not all in these mountains. For those locks I must carry the older unit to unlock the Supra. Now why would I want to carry both? When the invention comes along for universal signal in all places, sign me up!

Yes, we need that universal signal! thanks for all the information! love these new phones, ect.

great information ekey softwear can be used with service provider or only specific service provideer

SEP

Our board gave us a class on the GE Security ekey and is basically requiring us to go from Risco to the new system. They are offering a one time only swap on the fob and the boxes. There won't be an additional charge unless we want more. I do have to get a new smart phone but now don't know if I want one with the infared signal or do I want to carry another fob. I also have to consider the service provider.

SEP

That is the only thing I miss about having an iphone is it can work as my supra key. However, I wouldn't trade it for a blackbery. I want fewer things to have to remember to carry around not more. I would then have to cary my ipod and a phone. Its still a cool device though.

SEP

Tim: We would very much like to add eKEY to the iPhone. We are working on it, however we still have some challenges to work through. As soon as we can get past those, we will move forward with development.

Lane: The size of the fob is driven by the need to have two AAA batteries. As we designed the fob and listened to customer feedback, we learned that agents did not want yet another device to charge. Thus we elected to use AAA batteries. If we made it smaller it would either have to be recharged, or require a specialty battery that would be expensive to replace (and would not make it much smaller).

Eddie: Regarding cell phone coverage, the BlackBerry eKEY does not need cell coverage to open a lock box, it just needs to have coverage at some point during the day so that it can update. In generally if you are in cell coverage at some point during a 24 hour period, your BlackBerry ekey will be updated (or you can update it manually when you have coverage and you will be updated for the rest of the day). In the case of Palm and Windows devices, they auto update at night. Thus if you have cell coverage at your home, it will update in the evening by itself. These too can be updated manually if necessary.

Thanks for your comments,

Greg

SEP

How does it work with the palm tx? I am getting into the RE business and want to ditch my blackberry. Do you have to have an internet connection on the TX at the time you want to open the box?

Brian

SEP

I'm meeting with Sprint next week to go over phone options. I could get a blackberry then a fob but my other option is the palm tx. The salesperson, over the phone, recommended the palm tx. He said it's comperable to a blackberry, much cheeper and I won't need a fob.

SEP

Brian,

The Palm TX will work as an eKEY. You do not need an internet connection when you open a box. You just need to make sure that you update the key before you use it. For example, use the internet connection at your home to update it, before you show the house.

Greg

OCT

with the infrared port you can also 'beam' your business card (contact info) directly into another persons smartphone infra-red. if you give a paper card the other person has to enter the info manually. this way it automatically goes into the address book of the receiver

In my market area there are few who use the SUPRA lockbox. The cost is way too high. Unitl the Board gets everyone on board, I will not be renewing my ekey.

My FOB is now TAPED TOGETHER WITH SCOTCH TAPE because the screw just fell out - Don't know when, Don't know why. My satisfaction level with the product is diminishing as I type.

Chiming in here again. I think the cost is ridiculous versus the value it adds. What is even more bothersome is probably less than 20% of agents actually have an eKey so accommodating showing requests for agents without one is beyond a HUGE hassle. I think a local board/mls should either make at least the subscription to it mandatory or do away with having it as an option as an incredible amount of time is wasted.

OK, against my better judgement I just applied for the "free" blackberry fob. I just activated my Verizon Tour 9630. I will see if I like it.

We used to have the phone-key-all-in-one but went back to having the key separate -- too many issues.

I am just hoping we are not on the verge of another "upgrade" and have to drive an hour, go through the "cattle chutes" to do another switch of equipment. It has been one of those weeks and I cannot handle one more thing. :(

As a mortgage broker, I probably have no business commenting on this, but it sure seems like a neat idea!

Is there a problem with the old fashioned lockboxes? Why are we getting so much dependent on gizmos? Thank God, we don't have this option here yet.

When are you guys going to support the Google Android phone? I really want one...

I still like my Sentri Lockboxes. Since we changed over, things are much more simple.

OCT

Most people have the ekey in our area. I think its a good product, but now not used as much with the foreclosure inventory.

Out of 7 boards in our area, 6 have moved to Sentrilock and the others are all buying Sentrilock boces because all the 6 boards cannot access those listings. That said I did like the Ibox but never used my Palm Treo, now have an Iphone, like millions of others.

We use this in Oklahoma City, but as an iPhone user I can only say, welcome to the 21st Century. Catch up!

I have the Palm Centro. I love that I don't have to think about anything in regards to updating my ekey. It automatically sync's every night while I sleep. So when I go to show a home, it's all ready to go! And I love carrying one thing! I would love to have an iPhone for the cool factor. But I will not go back to carrying two things again!!! As James wrote: "I am disappointed that I would have to use the fob with my blackberry. What is the point of having the ekey if you still have to carry extra equipment..." I totally agree. What in the world is the benefit of being able to open the lockbox if you need to carry the fob! Isn't that just like carrying the display key? It kind of defeats the purpose! Anyway, I love that I can just carry the one piece of equipment (my Palm Centro) to the door!

I opted to keep my Blackberry separate from my Ekey. I have heard so many agents who lost their cell phone which resulted in a long wait to show homes. ~ Lana

I think this is a cool idea. However, you still have to cary around a seperate device. I like my iphone because I no longer have to cary around a gps device, its smart phone, I can easly access the mls from it, it also allows me to carry around all my music. I want fewer things to carry around. Now if there was app for my iphone that would be really cool.

OCT

Will it be available on the new Palm Pre?

NOV

I really LOVE my New Blackberry Tour and can't wait until I get my Fob! Does anyone have any idea how long it normally takes? It's been almost a month & my patience is wearing thin:)

NOV

iphone iphone iphone iphone

The iphone came out in 2007 and you're still "working on it"?

NOV

I've been using eKey on an HTC P-4300 for over 3 years without any issues. Originally on UNICEL but now with AT&T as phone service carrier. Occasionally I have to manually update but it only takes a couple of minutes. I check if it has been updated first thing in the morning and usually I'm good to go for the day. With the HTC phone it is the proverbial"Swiss Army Knife" as I can access the Internet, my e-mail, Google Maps, the MLS database and since it has Windows mobile I have access to Word files if needed. Additionally, I can create notes with the stylus to jot down FSBO phone numbers in addition to a 1.3 Mb camera for which I have even used to send photos of properties on site to customers. Furthermore, the phone has built in Wireless so you can connect to the Internet even if you do not have cell service. In addition to viewing the display in a horizontal position it automatically rotates the display when I use the well designed slide out QWERTY keyboard. And did I mention that I also use it to open lock boxes and make phone calls even with my blue-tooth headset? My only annoyance / regret is the processor is a little slow, but until the eKey application works on my iPhone, the HTC truly is my "Pocket Office" These phones are available occasionally unlocked on eBay at reasonable prices so one can slip in a sim card and have spare or if one needs a replacement phone.

NOV

Just a quick note, the delay for the iPhone has nothing to do with GE not "keeping up with the times" or anything of that nature. Apple has chosen to make iPhone a closed platform, meaning that app developers are limited in what components of the device the applications they design are able to utilize.

eKey for any device that's not equipped with onboard infrared requires the use of the Bluetooth module to communicate with the key fob in order to interact with lockboxes. Apple has chosen NOT to let developers send commands to Bluetooth in the apps they design; only official Apple-written code can use that component. So Supra is at an impasse with this device - Apple is the company dragging their feet, NOT GE.

Of course, Apple/AT&T has a vested interest in restricting Bluetooth access; opening the Bluetooth stack to user-generated commands (through apps written by 3rd parties) would mean that on day one, someone would write an application that would allow unscruplous users to make free phone calls on a Bluetooth headset through internet-based telephony services such as Skype, thus causing revenue issues for AT&T.

So, to recap, this is not a GE issue, it's an Apple issue, period. Unless Apple sees fit to work directly with GE on an app that will have a VERY small number of users (relativley speaking) nationwide, this won't happen any time soon, barring an Apple policy change that would have nothing to do with us.

DISCLAIMER - I hae no inside knowledge of this situation, and I'm not affiliated with either company, just a person who develops iPhone apps and works with eKey every day. I'm calling this one like I see it, and I could very well be wrong (but I don't think I am.)

I have a fob with my Blackberry and love it. I wouldn't go any other way.

NOV

any plans for the FOB to work with Android phones?

NOV

Thanks for your post. That makes a lot of sense.

it just didn't sit right with me when Greg answered, "Tim: We would very much like to add eKEY to the iPhone. We are working on it, however we still have some challenges to work through. As soon as we can get past those, we will move forward with development."

NOV

Let me provide a bit of history and then where we stand with the iPhone and eKEY. When the iPhone was first was released, and up until the late spring of this year, the SDK (software development kit) did not include the necessary protocols to allow us to control a software application with an external hardware accessory (such as our eKEY fob we use with BlackBerry currently). As such there was no development that could be done relative to eKEY because there was no way to communicate with the iPhone.

Apple has since released a new version of the SDK that does provide the access we require. As such we are actively developing an eKEY for iPhone application. In order to communicate with an iPhone, the hardware piece must include an Apple specific authorization chip. What this means is that the current eKEY fob cannot communicate with the iPhone. As such, we are developing a new hardware piece that will add IR capabilities to the iPhone, and will also contain the authorization chip. We are working as quickly as we can to get the solution complete and out into the market place. It is our goal to have it complete by Q2 of next year.

Regarding the Android platform, this too is something we are working on. We recognize that this operating system is growing and it is our intention to support it with eKEY. When we have a better timeframe available we will let you know.

Greg

NOV

Interesting. I wasn't aware that there was any specific hardware-based limitation on peripherals for the iPhone, but hardware's not really my forte.

Can we take your statment to mean that a future ekey fob with the iPhone chip onboard would supersede the existing fob design for all models, or will it be iPhone specific? Because the plastic shell has a fairly well-established structural fault at the point that the female screw casing attaches to the body, and I'm getting returns and complaints without a clear resolution other than just reccomending users tape the thing up. A new design that addresses this issue would be great, maybe a warranted replacment program as the old ones break. (I'm sure that's not the best thing for your bottom line, but the breakage is a fairly serious issue.)

Android is something I hope GE gets onboard with soon. The 2.0 SDK hasn't been made public yet, as far as I know, but I'd wait if I were you until it is - 2.0 will probably be the platform on which Android makes its mass-market debut. There are something like 15 Android devices slated for release across most major carriers before Christmas, and I'm hearing a lot of talk among users that the platform is just as well suited to Real Estate as iPhone, maybe more so. I'd beat the rush, and have something ready sooner than later, particularly considering Android is the easiest mobile platform to develop for (issues of screen resolution aside.)

While I'm at it, is it your intention to abandon infrared altogether in the next iteration of iBox units? I would think that bluetooth would be the technology of choice for short-range wireless communications, and I think it's likely to remain onboard most mobile devices for at least the next few years. If not bluetooth, then what? The only other plausible solution at this point would be a fully wireless networked iBox, and that would probably be impossible with respect to cost and battery life. Where does that put us?

NOV

I dont trust any company that tries to make a buck off fake global warming. Im sure you all know about the recall of the piece of crap they sold us that melted car seats if you left it in the car.

I like the VERY simple dKEY....I can sync nightly or not and get code via cel phone if I did not sync the night before....

I just got a new My Touch, but the ekey was not a feature I looked for. I've heard too many bad stories from other agents about it.

I used to have the white power sucking behemoth until I traded it for a palm centro. Best thing I've ever done. I got the palm specifically so that I wouldn't have to have a fob. The white power sucker only worked about 10% of the time. I've never had my palm fail to open a box on the first try.

@Craig~ O no bad experiences here on my end with ekey! I love it! Again, as I wrote above, I have the Palm Centro and I love having my ekey! I love having one piece of equipment to carry. And I love that it syncs automatically every night while I sleep! It's awesome! I have never had any troubles!

Bought a TREO 755 with a view to getting eKey, now 6 out of 7 boards went with Sentrilock. I changed to an Iphone. Technology moves and changes all the time. It is now a pain to show a listing with Supra because the agent has to let us is.

I just upgraded to the BlackBerry BOLD 9700. An agent in my office gave me her FOB because she bought a different phone. I found the transfer from the DisplayKey to eKey to be a relatively painless and easy process. The eKey is easy to use. However, like the others, I would like to have a smaller FOB and one that is chargeable.

I have to charge my cellphone. It's not that big of a deal to charge a FOB. Can't wait for the day when I'm out showing property and have to stop, find a tiny screwdriver and replace the batteries. That sounds so archaic. I don't even own a tiny screwdriver.

Thought I lost my FOB yesterday. It wasn't in my bag. Then I realized my bag had flown off the seat when I hit the brakes, so I looked under my car seat, and there it was. It would be nice if I could attach it to my car key ring, but it's too heavy.

Maybe the website has improved but I sometimes received emails about showings from a month ago. Sometimes it would take 24 hours to update, and sometimes it didn't update at all. For example, a seller called to say an agent had accessed the lockbox, didn't call to make an appointment and entered unauthorized, but I had to wait a day for the site to update.

But all in all, I like the new eKey.

I'm not saying I won't perhaps try this out at some point in the future, but I was really hoping that it would not need the FOB. If it really is an EKEY, why can't they make the software on your phone do it all?

Most of the agents and agencies don't use the system our board approved and implemented. I have not used the key for a good 6 months. The bill time frame expired and I did not renew it. I am now told that because I did not turn it in to the board (an hour drive away), I will continue to be charged. If I needed the thing to show homes I would pay for it but, no need for it, I'm not paying.

It would be so much better and easier to just use a electronic credit card to open these things! I have an iphone and it is too bad it isn't equiped to open the supras!

I'm taking a pass on the fob for use with my Blackberry Curve. It's almost as big as my Supra Key, you have to have batteries and it's another thing you have to carry. Sorry, but you guys missed the boat with this gadget.

I love my ActiveKEY! I did have an issue with it staying charged but GE sent out an update code and it works much longer than before. I also love that it has a built in flashlight.

Anxiously awaiting the day I can use my iPhone. Don't want to have to carry a fob.

Psst - I am still waiting for my replacement FOB that you said you were going to send me...this post just reminded me of that...

still loves his eKey on his Treo. and to address others comments, I believe our boards did make it mandatory

however with the glut in homes on the market, we are seeing the return of combo lockboxes. I have also seen more homes with both lockboxes

I too despise GE's maneuvering to capitalize on the AGW myth, as well as its horrendous stock performance, but this is a great product. And why would somebody want to carry two devices when only one is needed. More things you have to carry the more likely you are to lose one.

I love my ekey on my Treo! The Roster with all the agents phone numbers are right there in my phone. It updates on it's own every night while I sleep. But the best part is being able to rattle off all the information about homes that are on the market... from the front seat of my car, the grocery store aisle, or my back yard. I have picked up numerous buyers by seeming like a market genius just by clicking into the listings in my phone.

I wish I could get an iphone... but I don't want to carry a fob. I love my all in one device.

NOV

Have not moved up yet. Still using the Active Key. Mostly because I do not want a fancy phone. I just want my old Motorola 180 that has served me well for years now. Howver, the electronic systems is much better than the combo boxes, in my opinion. I just recently had a case where an agent gave out the combo to some buyers and I found them wandering inside a house I was showing with no agent in sight.

I have been using my Blackberry Storm for about 2 months now and have fab. So far I like it much better than the old ekey. That being said I too cannot believe that the technology does not have infrared in all phones that have this feature! too many things to keep up with..

John, you do not have to use all the other features, like linking your Treo 755p calendar to Outlook so you get alerts on your phone for every appointment. you can just use it as a phone, and a lockbox key. Personally I like having the contact info for all agents in W. Pasco & Pinellas at my fingertips, with listings tied to google maps

Greg,

Thanks for the explanation in #52. I will keep using iphone and look forward to good things to come next year!

DEC

It would be nice if the Key Fob was available for the Android based phones.. and I think that my MLS ( REIN Virginia Beach) actually charges me for the convenience to NOT HAVE the DisplayKEY.. Personally I think that is just bad.

DEC

When will the eKey be availble for the droid phones?

DEC

This is a never ending solution new phones are being released constantly they are unable to keep up GE security. I have a blackberry 8900 but still use my palm treo to access the lockbox. I do think the centri lock is the better way to go because you don't have to worry about upgrade for your phone when you get a new one personally i like to upgrade my phone to keep up with latest technology.

We are working toward supporting the Android phones with our eKEY application. I cannot provide a specific time frame at this point but we are hoping to have it out in the summer of 2010. As the time gets closer we will provide an updated time frame.

Thanks,

Greg

DEC

Android... please...!

I'm not getting the complaints about the old Display Keys & old lockboxes, our MLS bought back all the old stuff & swapped out everyone for an ibox at the same time and we cut them cold-turkey. Highly recommend it.

DEC

I love the fob and that ito works with the Blackberry. It works great and it is small enough for me. I had so much trouble with my Palm Treo constantly not working with my computer to update properly, it drove me crazy. With the Blackberry and fob, it updates automatically in the middle of the night. Awesome! With my Blackberry and fob I have always been able to open the lockboxes. This is great technology; why is everyone complaining so much?!!! :)

DEC

This is all good to know. I am upgrading my phone soon and I am so bad about charging my lockbox key. If it was part of my cell I would remember to do it! Less to carry also I imagine!

I had the eKey on my Treo and it was great except when the phone rang while I was accessing a lockbox. I took it off last November because I was preparing to buy a new phone. I am torn between the iPhone and the Google phone. If one of those phones had an eKey app, that would sway my decision.

Please do an iphone app!!

The electronic boxes are still better than the combo boxes. Just in the past two weeks I have seen two agents give their customers the codes since they were too lazy to come and show the properties. So now those people can come back anytime and get inside for good or bad reasons.

No system is perfect, but I have seen worse.

Uniless they can come up with a system that will use your NRDS number followed by a personalized PIN, we will be stuck with ActiveKeys, DisplayKeys, or PDA compatible systems.

JAN

It is a new year and there is a new phone to consider adding....

The DROID

Happy New Year

JAN

I hope to think I'm an advanced user. One who embraces technology in real estate. I was the first agent in our area to use the old Palm eKey -- talked all kinds of agents into it, until they couldn't (wouldn't??) figure it out. I purchased the Cingular 8525 phone for the infrared access, before the 8525 had been programmed for the MLS lockboxes. I was the first agent in our MLS to get the Blackberry fob. I taught the MLS staff how it worked. I went through the low-battery issue a couple times. I went through a bluetooth synching disaster while showing property with an unappreciative buyer in the middle of nowhere (fob was faulty). I have now turned my fob back into the MLS and gotten a regular key.

When I was sold this technology (again!), I was told I would be notified instantly when someone using a fob was accessing my property. Great! Problem is, NOBODY in our MLS has been using the fob until very recently. So I paid $22 monthly for an unused service. Supra sells the agents on new technology. And if EVERYBODY used it, I'm sure it would be outstanding. But when I am the ONLY agent instantly notifying agents I'm walking into their homes -- and they don't even get that notification until they check their old cards at midnight -- what's the point? I'm sure Supra is not going to give me back the months of unused notification service.

Oh, and when will Supra allow more than 3,500 listings TOTAL on a Blackberry eKey Professional?? Are you kidding? We have ACTIVE 9,000 homes in area I need to access. I can't even store all the listings in the Salem/Keizer area alone -- Supra's headquarters - not counting the outlying counties or 90-day solds. The old Palm eKey was far superior at storage, and it's hard-drive was miniscule compared to my Blackberry. After several complaints to your technical support, and several "we're working on it" responses (read: over a year ago!), I have given up. Mark me down as a very unsatisfied customer.

JAN

Bobby,

Thanks for the comments. Concerning your comments about the number of listings on the BlackBerry, let me provide some more information. You are correct that there is a limit on the number of listings that can be stored at one time. It is important to note however, that this limitation is driven by BlackBerry. While the device itself has more storage capacity, there is a limit on the size of file that can be reliably parsed and then stored to the device. Thus, for reasons of reliability, we chose to limit the number of listings.

While there is a limit on the listings, you can reconfigure your market area quickly and easily for your phone (which is something you can’t do with the Palm). What this means is that if you move to a different part of the city for which you do not have listings, simply change your market area to that area and perform and esync. This will add those listings to the device. This only takes a couple of minutes and can be done as frequently as necessary.

Thanks,

Greg

FEB

With Android being open source, why aren't any android phones compatible yet. It is the platform of choice for the next wave of smartphones and you need to be out ahead of the storm.

FEB

Shane,

We are developing eKEY for Android. As soon as we have some solid dates on availability I will share them.

Thanks,

Greg

FEB

Greg:

Thanks for the response. You're the first person in multiple attempts at speaking with Technical Support to give me that information.

However, I still feel that making your agents change their market area manually every time we go into an area not covered and then change it back to receive the proper auto-download at night seems like nonsense for such a technical company. In your two previous incarnations of eKeys, there were never any concerns about "reliability". We simply received all the information every night. If my eKey didn't sync correctly, I would resync before leaving my home or office. And I always had the information I needed.

With the current Blackberry eKey, when I met with my clients out of my normal market area (the 3,500 listings I regularly downloaded), it was not standard operating procedure to change my market area and resync in the field. Especially if I was at a house in a remote area with no coverage (Verizon is great at coverage, but not in Lyons or Detroit or anywhere there are tall trees or mountains).

I wish you luck with Blackberry. There has to be a better way than current. Thanks for the reply.

FEB

I need to get a new phone. I presently have a Palm Treo 755 which I use as my ekey. I have been very happy with it especially since it has the infrared signal eliminating the need to carry an additional fob. I prefer to stay with a Palm product and I am considering the Palm Pre Plus but I see that it is not compatible with the ekey software. Is there any plan to include this phone? I would hope so since Palm was one of the first phones to work with the system.

FEB

Raymond,

Unfortunately to this point Palm has been unwilling to provide us access to the Bluetooth in their new operating system. As such we are not able to make it work with eKEY. We are however adding iPhone and Android phones later this year, which will provide you with several new choices.

Greg

MAR

Stopped worring about all the phones and lockbox issues.

Now I use the Active key it's wireless, and I leave it in my car hooked to the charger and I'm a happy camper. Phone work great and lockboxes always open.

Love technology, but I also love ease of use and less stress, I get rid of ANYTHING as soon as I have the first issue with it.

it works great with my blackberry..but agree the fob is quite large and cumbersome. Wish it was smaller or didn't need the fob at all.

Have enjoyed the pro version, but haven't used everything it does as i haven't taken the time to learn it.

I have been very pleased with having the system in my phone, a PPC-6800. however, I'm now ready for a new phone and none of the options I'd like have infrared. Our board said that sometime this year you'll be rolling out the 'bluetooth' system. Is that just a rumor or is it possible? Thanks so much.

My Supra key SUCKED! I went through 4 keys before getting one that worked properly!!!!!!!!!!

Love Supra, but not having it set up for Blue Tooth is backward. Please update to the 21st Century.

I enjoy using my Treo 700p, but lately been haven some issues with the phone re-booting by itself. So I was looking into upgrading to a new one and really wanted the Windows OS instead of the suckie Palm OS.

Then like Diana Hoyt above stated, you cannot find an infared phone these days...

And like most others here I have to agree, what's the point of the fob. I choosed the smartphone for maily for one reason to carry one device. Why else would I pay so much extra to carry two. In fact I figure it would cost me less, if I just go back to a standard cell phone and use the eKey.

I mean I pay for:

Cell time, Cell Internet (in order to use Supra), & supra itself. If I gt just the eKey & standard cell phone I would save over $50 a month.

Come to think of it, maybe I should thank the phone companies for taking away the infared! LOL

Palm 650 Treo mine is vintage 2005 it's big and heavy and I drop it almost once a week so it's really beat up. I bought it used (barely) and have used like a carpenter uses a nailgun, I should pick up a used spare, maybe the newer Palm 700/750 see them on ebay. Most used tool of all my electronic do dats. When it finally breaks I'll have it mounted like art - the phone that worked the real estate boom and bust! Kent Davis

I have the probe with my blackberry and it never works. I need to just go and get the supra key, if I must carry equipment. I agree, we must get this device connected with blue tooth.

I got frostbite so bad I had to see a physician trying to open one of these things in 10 below weather with a windchill of minus thirty. I was trying to open the house for a final walkthrough for a closing the next day. The next day after the closing I came back to take the eKey off the door...put it in a drawer and have never used one since. And will never again. Too frustrating and too obnoxious. And, I don't go out of my way to show property that have eKeys unless the buyers specifically want to see those properties. Something must work better out there to be safe and secure and yet easy to use. And, most importantly, OPEN.

Love the BB software --- need to come up with a fix for the FOB!!

When will it be available for the phone everyone uses? iPhone...

MAR

The Active ekey is the worst, most unreliable piece of electronic equipment I have seen for a long time. The only reason these "upgrades" are forced on us is so a higher rental fee can be charged. We've gone from an old key that worked fine and only needed charged every month or so, and synced once a week to an obnoxious device that runs the battery dead every two days even when not in use. Then it has to be plugged in for hours before the unit has enough juice that you can take it along for showings. When someone found out you could turn the key off to save the battery, a "power saving upgrade" was mandated that will not allow us to turn the key off to save the battery. What kind of tech support is that? Would I ever couple this thing to an iphone? Never. When I think GE security, I think of the old saying: "We're from the government, and we are here to help".

How much are we going to be charged for this "new and improved service"?

It amazes me to read the comments from the "technology challenged" who then blame the government for their ineptness. If you can't run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch.

I have used the eKey on a HTC P4300 for several years and my only complaint is the processor in the phone is not as robust as it could be so it takes a minute to open the iBox to retrieve a key. However being able to know when other agents have shown the property is very helpful as I can call or e-mail the agent for feedback and share the reports with the sellers about market activity on their property.

I too would be interested in the iPhone app, however if it requires a FOB that would make it difficult to switch and not having access to the Windows OS and apps would be a bummer too. Ah, decisions, decisions, decisions.

May be GE stayed with infrared because they saw a way to squeeze more money out of REALTOR's? Somebody needs to create a system that works with smart phones and blue tooth. Then boot GE out for not being innovative.

MAR

We recognize the challenges of fewer and fewer phones having IR. We are currently developing a new lock box that will include Bluetooth. The box will be backward compatible thus it will work with both IR and Bluetooth. We will be providing more information on this new product in the coming months.

MAR

Greg.

Thanks for the update. From your comments it looks like there will be some interesting options available later this year. (A recent e-mail from our local board indicated that change is coming soon) Looking forward to the news, however a quick question; would eKey install and function on an IBM Tablet PC running Windows XP Tablet Edition that has a built in ID port or is the software only compatible with the current versions of Windows Mobile on specific SmartPhones?

MAR

Unfortunately the Windows Mobile version of eKEY will only run on Windows Mobile devices, not on a tablet PC. It will run on most Windows Mobile touch screen smartphones running Windows Mobile 5.0 or greater.

Greg

APR

I just had my first real issue with my Palm Centro and the Supra iBox. Fortunately it was while trying to get into one of my own listings. I double checked access on another Supra iBox and same thing, just wouldn't read the IRsignal. Calling GE did not solve the problem after taking out the battery, removing and reinstalling the program etc. Now I get to call Sprint and they had no idea what I was talking about so they transfered me to Palm. Now I have to go to the Board and pick up a fob so that I have two IR divices so that Palm can fix my one IR. That I'll do tomorrow and of course my warranty has expired on the phone.

The key fob worked great with my AT&T Tilt, but doesn't work with my iPhone, so if anyone needs one let me know :-) I never had any problems with it -- it always worked like a charm.

APR

I want to be able to use the DROID with no separate device and NO EXTRA CHARGE! Now that would make me happy!

MAY

Hi Greg,

As we are closing in on the summer, I am wondering if there is any new word on when the Ekey will be available for the Android platform. Can't wait to buy the Droid and be able to use the Ekey on it.

Thanks!

MAY

Hoping for update on Droid availability.

JUN

Love my Droid, just waiting for the ekey people to follow the trend.

JUN

Just spoke with Supra about the Android app. Looks like it will be late summer, Aug/Sep timeframe. I can't wait -- I'm upgrading to the EVO, and getting an Activekey until the eKey app is ready. Really tired of the slow speed on my palm treo.

Thanks for the update Daniel, while not exactly speedy on their part, at least we know their "working" on it.

JUN

Comment posted by a rep on Supras facebook page in regards to all the Android requests.

"We are targeting a late September release for eKEY for Android. When more precise dates are determined we will be sure to let you know."

JUL

We are very close to having our eKEY for iPhone solution ready to go. Our eKEY for iPhone application is now available on the iTunes App Store! We are still a few weeks away from shipping the Supra eKEY Adapter required to complete the solution. However in the mean time, you can download the app and check out the demo mode. Demo mode lets you see all the features of eKEY for iPhone, without having to sign up for eKEY service. This is a great opportunity for DisplayKEY or ActiveKEY users to experience the benefits of eKEY.

The app can be downloaded here from iTunes.

AUG

The problem with the ekey is not a sofware issue but a technology one. It is commonly accepted that infrared port are becoming obsolete and it is time for Supra to lead rather than follow. Offering a bluetooth lockbox would solve all of the fob issues and would easily be available to all smartphones

AUG

The fix is available. Max Pigman challenges some one to fix REALTORS lack of infrared lock box access vie Iphone and droid.

Supra how about making this work?

AUG

eKEY for the iPhone is now available! Turn your iPhone into a lockbox key in two easy steps. First download the eKEY app from the Apple iTunes store. The download is free and it includes a demo version that lets you try all features risk free.

Next, purchase a small hardware device, called the Supra eKEY Adapter that plugs into the bottom of your phone. Please note that you must also be enrolled in the eKEY Basic service. If you are interested in purchasing an adapter, please contact your Association or MLS. If your Association or MLS does not have them in inventory, you may order an adapter directly from Supra by visiting www.supraekey.com. Click on the Order Form link on the right, and then download the order form.

The price for the adapters is $54.95, plus any applicable sales tax and shipping and handling charges.

Learn more about eKEY for iPhone here.

AUG

Greg:

Still on target for a late September release for the Android platform?

Thanks, in advance, for any update.

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